Team Dover civic leader attends national forum

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Ashlin Federick
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Mike Tatoian, Dover Motor Sports, Inc. chief operating officer and 436th Airlift Wing honorary commander, attended the 61st Annual National Security Forum May 6-8, 2014 at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.

More than 110 business and community leaders were invited to attend the Secretary of the Air Force-sponsored event. The forum allowed for open discussion between guests and Air War College students, faculty and senior leaders on international and national security issues impacting the Air Force and the Department of Defense.

Tatoian said the NSF far exceeded his expectations and was an experience he will not forget.

"Having the opportunity to be surrounded by some of the sharpest minds in our military was an honor and having the opportunity to exchange ideas and perspectives with the other NSF guests and Air War College students was outstanding," said Tatoian. "The quality of these senior military students was just impressive."

Each NSF guest was assigned to a seminar with an AWC student who served as the guest's escort. Throughout the week, NSF guests participated in activities to include briefings, panels, seminar discussions and social events.

Tatoian said the tempo of the event was great. He said the formal speeches, lectures and presentations that led to classroom discussions and conversations was a perfect mix.

"To be in a classroom that had incredible representatives of all branches of our military, international allied forces and a terrific cross-section of civilians created some high energy and enlightened perspectives on various topics," said Tatoian.

Lt. Col. Stacy Craig, NSF director, said the 2014 NSF was very successful. She said this was the largest forum to date with 148 guests representing 44 states, including Alaska, Hawaii and the U.S. Territory of Guam.

"Along with an increased awareness and understanding of the military and its role in national security, I believe the most important take away for our guests in a strengthened and vital relationship between military and civilian leaders," said Craig.

Tatoian said he learned many things at the forum. He said leadership skills, decision making, crisis management, short and long term strategies, respect, listening skills, diplomacy, evaluation resources and cooperation are all things people need regardless of who they are, what position they hold or whether they are members of the military or civilian workforce.

"At the highest level, our military employs all of these things to make the best decisions for the safety and security of our country," said Tatoian. "As a strong advocate of our military, it only strengthens my belief that we remain the world leader and our country needs to provide the resources they [Air Force] need to allow them to do their jobs effectively. I will continue to be a strong advocate of the Air Force and our entire military."